Govt pledges commitment to food, nutrition security

The government says it will continue to scale up the implementation and fulfillment of the set targets under the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZIM ASSET).

Addressing various government departments and development partners who converged in Mutare for the progress review and planning meeting for the multi-sectoral community-based model to food security and nutrition for the stunting reduction in 15 districts, the Senior Principal Director in the Office of President and Cabinet Mr Ozias Hove said the government is committed to the implementation of food and nutrition policies.

He said the government through the Food and Nutrition Council, endorsed the implementation of the multi-sectoral community-based model to food and nutrition for security for stunting reduction and reduce food and nutrition insecurity.

Mr Hove said the government programme has been scaled up to 15 more districts, which have been selected according to their high prevalence of chronically malnourished children under five and food insecure households.

UNICEF nutrition manager Mr Ismael Ngnie Teta said most of the districts in the country require support and pledged to mobilise more support and resources to ensure the success of the multi-sectoral community-based model to food and nutrition security for stunting reduction.

The Principal Director in the Ministry of Rural Development Mr Christopher Shumba said the ministry is committed to collaborate effectively with rural district councils to foster and promote development at local level.

The two-day progress review planning meeting for the multi-sectoral community-based model to food and nutrition security for stunting reduction in 15 districts focuses on reducing stunting in children under five years.

The model is being implemented in five districts of five provinces namely, Masvingo, Manicaland, Midlands, Mashonaland Central, and Matabeleland North.